American super-middleweight Andre Ward has admitted that he is "disappointed" with opponent Paul Smith after the British boxer failed to make weight for their non-title fight on Saturday night.
The bout in California will still go ahead, despite Smith weighing in 4.4lbs above the agreed catch-weight of 172lbs, but WBA champion Ward has criticised the Liverpudlian for failing to disclose his issues with the weight until just over 24 hours before the match.
The 31-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I'm disappointed with Paul. I heard on Thursday night that, as of the morning, he was eight pounds over. You've got to realise in negotiations, my team said 172 and he fought to have it at 170. And he comes in four pounds overweight. It's very unprofessional.
"Right now, my team has work to do with the commission and with Paul's team. We're just not going to be okay with that. I did my part to make my weight like a professional.
"If he struggled that much with the weight he should have alerted us a long time ago. There could have been a change in the weight. If you wait until the last minute and then get on the scales - it's not a good look."
It has been reported that Smith has been fined 20% of his purse by the California State Commission, while a deal has been reached between the two camps where Smith can't weigh in at more than 181lbs at the check weigh-in on Saturday morning.
